David Cameron's Legacy And 5 Things He Won't Be Remembered For Because Of Brexit

He did actually win one referendum, remember?
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Today, David Cameron resigned as an MP, some two months after stepping stepping down as the 75th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Despite a number of notable and honourable achievements, his legacy will most likely be viewed almost entirely through Brexit, the political event that forced his stepping down, and its aftermath.

So here are 5 things David Cameron won’t be remembered for because of Brexit...

1) Gay marriage

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The rainbow flag is seen between statues of Field Marshal Earl Haig and Admiral Lord Nelson, marking the first day Britain allowed same sex marriages in 2014
Neil Hall / Reuters

Cameron successfully passed his gay marriage bill in 2013, despite the fact more of his own MPs opposed it than voted in favour. 

An overwhelming majority of MPs, 400 to 175 voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.

Only 127 of 303 Tory MPs voted in favour. After a seven-hour debate, 136 Conservative voted against allowing gay people to wed and a further 40 abstained.

2) Foreign aid

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Cameron speaks alongside Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (not seen) during a 2013 press conference at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
BEN STANSALL via Getty Images

In 2014 Britain became the first major nation to meet the UN-set target to spend 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid.

Last year we gave £13.21 billion overseas and were only outmatched by the US who spent £22.47 billion though this is only amounts to 0.17 per cent of its national income.

3) Winning the Scottish Referendum

 

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The Scottish and Union flags held up over Edinburgh, Scotland
David Cheskin/PA Archive

Before the EU referendum there was of course, the Scottish referendum.

Although Cameron steered the country to continued union, the result was far closer than predicted and brought divisions in UK society to the surface, an indication of what was to come with the EU vote.

It also led to a huge surge in the SNP in last year’s general election with leader, Nicola Sturgeon, gunning for another referendum in Scottish independence in the event of Brexit.

4) The modern slavery bill

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The Tories passed the Modern Slavery Bill in 2015
papa42 via Getty Images

Under the leadership of Cameron and spear-headed by Theresa May, the Tories passed the Modern Slavery Bill in 2015. 

There are more enslaved people in the world today than there ever was at the height of the trans-Atlantic slave trade with estimates of 30million globally.

Many of these are caught in underpaid employment in the labour market, their wages withheld and fees applied so they become trapped.

The bill means businesses must publish an annual report outlining steps taken to prevent slavery in their supply chains in the UK and overseas.

5) Lifting the ban on female frontline soldiers

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Male and female cadets platoons pass out together for the first time during the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Steve Parsons/PA Archive

From November, women will be allowed to fight in infantry combat roles and tank units after Cameron accepted a recommendation from the chief of the general staff, Gen Sir Nick Carter.

The move will cover all areas of the armed forces by the end of 2018 including some special forces.